HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRMinutes_2016_05_02Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
May 2, 2016 (approved)
A meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was held on Monday, May 2, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. at
Larson Nature Center with the following board members present: Brittany Kleinsasser, Erika Saunders,
Steve Berseth, and Sean Binker. Others present included: Darren Hoff (Recreation Manager), Al Kruse
(Parks & Forestry Superintendent), Dan Brettschneider (Parks, Recreation & Forestry Director) and
Christi Weidemann (Office Manager).
1. Call Meeting to Order. Acting Chair Kleinsasser called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes. Approval of the April Park Board Meeting Minutes. Berseth made the
motion to approve the April meeting minutes. Motion was 2nd by Binker. All present voted yes;
motion carried.
3. Additions to and Approval of Agenda. Approval of the May Park Board Agenda. Berseth made
the motion to add and approve the May Agenda. Motion was 2nd by Binker. All present voted
yes; motion carried.
4. Introduction of New Park & Recreation Board Members. Mayor Reed has appointed Kristi
Larsen and Jay Larsen to the Park & Recreation Board. Both new members were absent due to
other scheduled conflicts.
5. Staff Reports. Hoff reports that registration started on April 5th with show of a good turnout.
Hoff also reported that tball/coach pitch is moving along with staff putting players into teams,
practice is tentatively scheduled to start May 16th. Summer ice is scheduled to open June 6th.
Kruse reports that the Building Trades staff is finishing up shingling sheds for the carts at the
Golf Course. The Arbor Day 5K had 133 runners and the giveaway trees were Red Maples.
Kruse reported that the Gardens are tilled, staked and the water is on. The bathrooms at the
park facilities are up and running. Brettschneider reports that the engineers who did the
drainage project at the Golf Course did a tour with City Staff and looked to see if things were
working like anticipated. With all the rain it appears the drainage project is working accordingly.
Golf Course numbers through March 2016 approximately $164,000 with 2015 being around
$150,000. 2016 April numbers are slightly down because of the weather. Brettschneider also
reported that EdgeBrook was the recipient of the USGA/ASGCA site evaluation program.
USGA/ASGCA will have staff members out to review and give feedback on operation and
maintenance of the course, pro bono. Lastly, Brettschneider reported on the Armory Recreation
Center building. City Council has decided to have the City Manager create an Ad Hoc Committee
to explore options for open space/uses in the central corridor. City Council liked the concepts of
both proposals regarding the Armory Recreation Center, but would like additional information
for potential options before making a decision on the building.
6. Agreement Updates. Brettschneider reported that he is currently working with various
department partners on facility agreements. Blizzard has verbally said they are coming back
next year, but we are still waiting on a signed agreement. BISA has a draft agreement and we
are still planning to review with them. Dakota Cart Club also has an updated agreement in the
works.
7. Raised Garden Bed Project. Brettschneider reported that this is moving forward with the Eagle
Scout who proposed the project. The goal is to have 4 plots that would be completed this
summer.
8. CIP Item Updates. Brettschneider reported that there will be concrete work at Valley View Park
from Esther Heights to the Valley View Playground. Brettschneider reported that he has had
calls of complaints about kids going through yards to get to the playground. Brettschneider also
reported that concrete work for bike pads at City facility locations will be put in place for bike
racks to be installed this summer. There will also be an overlay on a section of trail from East of
Larson Park and then South behind 3M. The overlay will stretch in distance almost to EdgeBrook
golf course. Brettschneider stated he would like to include an overlay budget line item in the
annual CIP budget to continue to maintain the current trail system.
9. Dog Park Update-MOVED TO #6. Board agreed to discuss item 9 after item 5 as a citizen was
attending for the Dog Park Update. Brettschneider reported that this will be a continuous item
on the agenda. The current dog park is 11,000 to 12,000 sf and could potentially expand to
25,000 sf. This would be paid for by donations and fundraising. The current fence would be
reutilized.
10. Bike Friendly Brookings Update. Brettschneider reported that Kleinsasser was appointed to the
Bike Advisory Committee along with Berseth who sits on the committee as well. There are plans
moving forward on making Brookings a more bicycle friendly community. The Bike Advisory
Committee selected Toole Design Group to develop a bicycle master plan. Toole has extensive
experience developing master plans for cities and will work with the community throughout the
plan development.
11. Monarchs/Prairie Burn Project Update. Brettschneider reported that Pederson has been in
discussion with agencies and naturalists regarding the Prairie Burn project. The prairie burn is
on hold right now and could potentially start mid-May. The DNP spot is ready to go and there
will be a group that will help Pederson do the seeding on May 3rd.
12. Adjourn. Kleinsasser adjourned the meeting at 6:49 p.m.
Next scheduled meeting. Monday, June 6, 2016 at 5:30 pm.